Park Ridge Police Officers To Stake Out Dunkin' Donuts Rooftops

For the 11th year in a row, hundreds of law enforcement officers from throughout the state will stake out Dunkin’ Donuts rooftops – including both Park Ridge locations – to benefit Special Olympics Illinois on Friday, May 31, beginning at 5 a.m.

This year, police officers are scheduled to cover a record 150 Dunkin’ Donuts rooftops to heighten awareness and raise money for the Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics Illinois. Officers from the Park Ridge Police Department will be staffing the Dunkin’ Donuts at 1129 W. Touhy Ave and 2606 W. DempsterSt, Park Ridge. A complete list of the locations around the state can be downloaded at http://www.soill.org/dunkin-donuts-cop-on-rooftop/.

“More than $1.3 million has been raised from this event over the last 10 years and we’re hoping to set new records this year,” said Illinois Torch Run Director and Sherman Police Chief Eric Smith. “It’s a wonderfully fun, simple event that works.”

To meet their goal, police officers will have to top last year’s total of $235,000. Park Ridge officers raised $3,106last year in support of the Cop on a Rooftop event. The local goal for this year is $5,000.

In return for the police officers “doing time” at their restaurants, Dunkin’ Donuts will donate $15,000 to the Torch Run fund. In addition, each guest who visits a Cop on a Rooftop location that day and who makes a donation to the Torch Run will receive a free donut coupon. Guests donating at least $10 will receive a Law Enforcement Torch Run travel mug (while supplies last) and a coupon for free medium coffee. Other items, such as Torch Run T-shirts and hats, will be sold for various donation amounts, and other activities may vary by Dunkin’ Donuts location.

The Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run has raised nearly $28 million over 27 years while increasing awareness of Special Olympics Illinois athletes and their accomplishments. Each year, more than 3,000 officers cover 1,500 miles carrying the Flame of Hope through the streets of their hometowns and to the State Summer Games in Normal in June. It is the single largest year-round fundraising event benefiting Special Olympics Illinois. The intrastate relay and its various fundraising projects have two goals: to raise money and increase public awareness for the athletes of Special Olympics. The Torch Run has set a goal of raising $3 million for 2013.

Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 sports for more than 21,300 athletes with intellectual disabilities and nearly 13,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family support. The first Special Olympics games were held at Soldier Field in July, 1968; the program now is in more than 170 countries.

If you’re interested in learning more about Special Olympics Illinois, volunteering or providing financial support to help make Special Olympics programs possible, contact Officer Julie Genualdi, Park Ridge Police Department 847-318-5233 or email jgenuald@parkridgepolice.org.